Because there's no way once is enough.
With the Australian Open last week and the President’s Cup coming up, I’m inspired to get over my laziness and post some photos from my Boomerang trip earlier this year. After seeing Kyle Henderson’s photos, I’ve been somewhat ashamed of posting mine, but here goes.
For most Americans, I suppose a trip to Australia begins in Sydney. Mine started there as well, though all I did was arrive from the US and head over to New South Wales for a shower, lunch, and a round. My sightseeing in Sydney ended up occurring on my last day in Australia, but I’m going to go ahead and start with a bit of the city.
Sydney is just as attractive as you think it will be from the photos. Here’s a view of the harbor and opera house from the Sydney Harbor Bridge.
And a look at the bridge, taken from a ferry.
I guess most visitors want to be sure and see marsupials when they visit Australia. The safest bet is to visit the excellent Taronga Zoo.
You can see:
Kangaroos, like this mother & her joey.
Tasmanian devils, not much like the cartoon.
Koala bears
And the wombat.
I really wanted to see a dingo, but the zoo did not have one. Already a reason to return! I wish I had visited the zoo at the beginning of the trip, as this is some useful information.
After leaving the zoo, I had a short look around Sydney. With only a day to spend in the city, I could barely do it justice. Overlooking the harbor is this statue of William Bligh, who got kicked out of New South Wales years after getting kicked off his boat.
The observatory was worth a look around. I was fascinated to see that the park surrounding it seemed to be personal training central, with all sorts of people setting up shop. Wish I had taken a photo or two.
Sydney hospital and their replica of the Florentine Il Porcellino statue. I gave the snout a rub, hoping it would mean a return trip to Sydney soon.
Parliament House was cool.
Gorgeous Bondi Beach.
Healthy eats are available.
But it’s not cheap to wash them down! Our $ was very close to 1:1 with theirs, and though I picked Budweiser as an example, all the beers were similarly priced.
My visit to New South Wales was pretty jet-lagged, as I really cannot sleep on a plane. However, the course was plenty eye opening. First, it’s important to get the dress code right. Shorts are OK, but hide those ankles.
A couple of odd golf tee selections. I actually bought a super tee and liked it, but lost it in some tall grass at Cavendish. No brush tees in sight.
Kyle posted an excellent photo tour here.
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=f53f884daa4ae297012cf3c753a53ca6&topic=48698.0I’ll just share a few photos and my thoughts. Fortunately, we were hosted by an accomplished player, GCA’s Michael Taylor.
He would not have wanted me as a foursomes partner that day. It didn’t help that I was taking his suggested lines from the tee, and hitting it about 2/3 the distance he did.
The skyline 3rd green is a highlight.
I really liked the site of the green on the 4th. I thought this was a nice transition hole on less thrilling land. It seemed that many of the greens were perched on hills, and this one was really understated.
This view from the 5th fairway overlooking the Tasman Sea is incredible.
As is the tee shot on the 6th.
As gorgeous as NSW can be, it seems that it would be even better with some of the growth cut back, as a number of fairways are lined on each side.
The approach to the 13th, with a glimpse of the entrance to Botany Bay behind it.
The wild fairway on the fantastic 14th.
NSW also introduced my least course feature in Australia – the spare hole. While I do not mind the idea, I think it makes it too easy for staff to tinker with the course as holes can be taken out of play rather easily. It seems like NSW has been victimized a bit by that sort of freedom.
Overall, I really enjoyed New South Wales, but also think the course could be even better in the right hands. Amazing that one can say that about a course so highly rated.